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Daily Archives: April 19, 2010

This is what Rutgers AD Tim Pernetti had to say in tonight’s conference call with reporters on the Fred Hill resignation/settlement and the future of the men’s basketball program:

Can you summarize what led to this parting of ways: “Not really. At this point really what I’m focused on is truing to moving the program forward.”

Why did this drag out so long? “In everything we do, I think it’s more important that there’s a process. The important part of everything that went on was that we respectfully dealt with the process from start to finish.”

On candidates for the job: “I’m not going to comment yet on that. The bottom line is it’s something I’ve been very focused on, the business at hand. Now I will shift my focus to the search. It’s certainly the biggest priority for the athletic department right now.”

What will the criteria be? “I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the criteria. This is a very important time for our men’s basketball program . . . but I don’t want to discuss that publicly right now.”

On how much Hill’s actions at the baseball game had to do with his resignation: “I can’t comment on that.”

Do you think this saga has done damage to program? “I really don’t. The important thing is we went through the process the right way. That was the most important priority, not only for the university but for everybody involved.”

How long will the search take? “In my mind it’s as soon as possible. I’m not going to put a timeline on it. It’s all that I’m going to work on till it’s done.”

The status of the players and recruit Gil Biruta: “I met the players this afternoon. We did discuss and I have tried to communicate with the players as much as I can throughout this process. To me those guys are the program. They need as much information as anybody. I did speak to them this afternoon and explained that we’re going to continue to work hard on a resolution . . . It’s been well-documented that there have been conversations with Mr. Biruta and we will continue to have those conversations.”

On the settlement number: “I can’t comment on that . . . legal counsel has advised me that I can’t comment on the terms of the settlement.”

On how important the next coach will be: “It’s always a big part of it. future: It’s always a big part of it. Your head coach is always the person in storefront window as it relates to your program. There are many tings we need to do to continue to move our program forward; some are certainly related to facilities, which requires success on the fundraising front.”

Is a prior relationship with the university paramount? “I have never convince myself that a relationship is a prerequisite for the job.”

Familiarity with the region? “That’s very important. What I also plan to do as part of this process is to reach out to many people who are involved with boys basketball in this area. It’s important to get a feel for what makes the most sense, not only for the university, but what makes sense to them.”

On how the delay impacted this recruiting period? “Honestly, the process was the process. As it’s come to a conclusion, obviously the timing was not ideal but at the same time, there’s not really a whole lot we can do about that right now. Given the position that we’re in, we’re going to try to do the best we can to try to keep the guys who are coming in to stay committed, and if there are opportunities beyond those guys we’ll do the best we can to make sure we have capable bodies on the team for next season.”

On whether he will pay more (than Hill made) for the next coach: “We hope that we can. A lot of that relates to who the candidates we’re speaking with are. At the same time I have a responsibility to the university and to the state to be realistic. But in men’s basketball we need to invest in the program in order to get it where it’s going.””

“I was focused exclusively on our current situation. Now that it’s resolved, I will start immediate in moving forward. One thing that hasn’t changed, for first time in a long time, we’re going to make an investment in men’s basketball and in this program.”

After four years, 77 losses, a dozen player defections and an 13-day soap opera of a divorce, the Fred Hill era is officially over for the Rutgers University men’s basketball program.

Hill and the university reached a buyout settlement today, avoiding a lawsuit over the $1.8 million left on the deposed coach’s contract. As reported by NJ.com, the figure is in the $850,000 range.

“I would like to thank Freddie for his hard work and service to Rutgers,” athletics director Tim Pernetti said in a statment. “We appreciate his efforts on the behalf of our student-athletes and wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”

Pernetti, who last week informed Hill he will not be back for the fifth year of his seven-year deal, can now proceed with the search for a successor. Former Rutgers great and recently deposed Philadelphia 76ers coach Eddie Jordan, former St. John’s coach and current television analyst Fran Fraschilla and former Boston College and Ohio State coach Jim O’Brien are believed to be the top three names on the short list.

The program has been in limbo since April 6, when Pernetti opened an investigation into Hill’s profanity-laced outburst at Pittsburgh baseball coach Joe Jordano following the Scarlet Knights’ 9-8 triumph over Panthers on the diamond April 1.

By April 8 Pernetti had informed Hill that he could either accept a buyout or be fired for cause for a laundry list of reasons, including insubordination and failure to communicate critical program details. Hill rejected an initial buyout offer of $600,000, and for a solid week the situation remained a stalemate.

In the meantime sophomore guard and program cornerstone Mike Rosario has announce he’s transferring to Florida, becoming the 12 th player to defect on Hill’s watch and leaving the Scarlet Knights with just eight scholarship players.

With the specter of a protracted appeals process and a potential lawsuit looming, the pressure grew for both sides—but especially the university—to reach a settlement.

Hill’s final record is 47-77, including 13-57 in Big East play—the worst winning percentage in league history for anyone who has coached at least three years.

GOING DOWN HILL: A TIMELINE

March 9: Rutgers’ season ends at 15-17 with a one-point loss to Cincinnati in the first round of the Big East Tournament. It’s the fourth straight losing season under Fred Hill.

March 17: In a two-sentence statement, athletics director Tim Pernetti affirms that the embattled Hill will be back for his fifth season.

April 1: In a scene witnessed by a Gannett New Jersey reporter, Hill has a profanity-laced outburst in the direction of Pittsburgh’s baseball coaches after the Scarlet Knights beat the Panthers 9-8 on the diamond.

April 2: Pittsburgh athletic director Steve Pederson calls Pernetti to complain about Hill’s conduct. Pernetti tells Hill not to return to Bainton Field for the final two games of the series.

April 3: Pernetti attends the third game of the series and sees Hill “parked by a tree, sitting in the driver’s seat and crunched down,” according to a source.

April 6: Pernetti begins his investigation of the outburst, saying “the reports and eyewitness accounts are very concerning.” An internet report says Gil Biruta, the program’s top incoming recruit, called Pernetti to get released from his National Letter of Intent.

April 7-8: Pernetti tells Hill he will not be back as coach and that he can accept a buyout or be terminated for cause. Buyout negotiations begin with Hill rejecting a $600,000 offer. Hill meets with his players, dismisses reports of his ouster as “rumors.”

April 12: Pernetti provides Hill with a list of alleged transgressions, including insubordination and failure to communicate critical program details.

April 14: Sophomore guard Mike Rosario, Hill’s signature recruit and the Scarlet Knights’ leading scorer two years running, is given his transfer release. Rosario is the 12th player to flee the program early on Hill’s watch and the fourth in the past three months. His departure leaves Rutgers with just eight scholarship players for next year.

April 19: A buyout settlement is reached, avoiding the protracted spectacle of an appeal and a lawsuit. Hill’s final record is 47-77, including 13-57 in Big East play—the worst winning percentage in league history for anyone who has coached at least three years.

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